Fundamentals of Biomolecular Crystallization

This book comprehensively reviews the fundamentals of macromolecule crystallization and, together with its companion volume "Biomolecular Crystallization Across Experimentation and Modeling", offers a quantitative-oriented perspective, from thermodynamics and kinetics fundamentals to scalable continuous processes. Divided into 2 sections, the book begins with an overview of the main concepts to consider before starting a crystallization experiment, followed by an overview of the thermodynamic and kinetic variables and parameters that can be experimentally determined. Expert contributors cover topics such as protein phase diagrams, nucleation mechanisms, and biomolecular crystallization prediction. In the second part, readers will learn about the latest methodologies to promote biomolecular nucleation and the respective implications on the outcome crystallization kinetics variables. Chapters cover topics such as the use of flow and external fields as control strategies to promote crystallization, as well as alternative strategies to induce nucleation. The use of soft templates and seeding units to induce nucleation in a controlled manner is also explored in this part of the book.

This book serves as a valuable resource for designing and performing successful biomolecular crystallization experiments. Given its breadth, it appeals to scholars and researchers from both academia and industry, working in the field of biomolecular crystallization across several study areas, such as biochemistry, engineering, and biotechnology, among others.